Automobile Insurance

23 If You Have an Accident Report accidents immediately to law enforcement and to your insurance company. You can order a free brochure from CDI called “So You’ve Had an Accident, What’s Next?” This brochure explains what to do when you have an accident. Your insurance company may send a person called an adjuster. The adjuster investigates and evaluates your damage and losses. If there is damage to your car, they may refer you to a body shop, or you may choose your own. What if both drivers are at fault? In many accidents, both drivers share the fault. The police, the insurance companies, or the courts, decide the comparative negligence. This states each driver’s share of the responsibility. If I am injured in an accident, does my health insurance pay anything? Usually, your health insurance pays for your immediate medical care. Then your health insurance company will typically try to get back money from your auto insurance or the other person’s auto insurance. When one insurance company tries to get money back from another insurance company, it is called subrogation. Does my auto insurance company charge me more if I have an accident? If the accident is not your fault, your insurance company does not charge you more. If you are at least 51% at fault, your premium can go up when you renew your policy. This increase is called a surcharge.